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Nicki Minaj Says 'Hip-Hop Can Never Leave Me'

'I know I'm always gonna be street, because I can't pretend to be street,' Nicki tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman


Nicki Minaj
Photo: MTV News

Nicki Minaj has come a long way since her mixtape days in Queens, New York, but the Young Money star hasn't forgotten where she came from.

In her "Beez in the Trap" video, Nicki the Ninja ditched male alter ego Roman and proved she was all woman as she danced on the video's strip-club set. "I love my 'Beez in the Trap' video. This is my 'hood video, obviously," she told MTV News last week after she threw a surprise performance in Times Square.

Since her pop success, Nicki has heard all the whispers and criticisms that she may have forgotten her Queens roots. It's all pretty laughable to rap's reigning queen. On "Moment 4 Life," she vowed to never forget her humble beginnings when she spit: " 'Cause I'm still hood, Hollywood couldn't change me."

"What can I say? I don't know what I gotta do anymore. I don't know what I can possibly do. What I gotta do? Go and rob a bank?" Nicki asked with a chuckle.

No matter her success on the pop charts, Nicki still considers herself hip-hop. On her recently released Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, Ms. Minaj mixed her creative raps with crossover sounds on songs like the RedOne-produced "Starships" and the kinetic "Pound the Alarm." She'll never forget her roots, though. "I'm still me, hip-hop culture is still in my heart," she said. "That can never leave me.

"I know I'm always gonna be street, because I can't pretend to be street. It's a lot of people walking around here pretending to be that, but I ain't gonna call nobody out right now."

What's your favorite track from Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682851/nicki-minaj-roman-reloaded-hip-hop.jhtml

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Britney Spears' Fiance To Share Legal Control Of Singer With Father

Jason Trawick has petitioned court to become pop star's co-conservator, sharing responsibility for her 'general well-being.'
By John Mitchell

<P>Britney Spears' fianc&#233;, Jason Trawick, has petitioned the Los Angeles Superior Court to become the pop star's co-conservator. He would share legal control of the pop star with her father, Jamie Spears, who has maintained legal control of his daughter since February 2008. </P><P> </P><P>Sources close to the filing tell People that Trawick would not have control of Spears' multimillion-dollar estate or career but would share responsibility with Jamie Spears for the singer's "general well-being," including decisions regarding food, clothing and medical care. </P><P> </P><P> </P><P> </P><P>L.A. probate attorney Jeffrey S. Cohen told the magazine that while this is "a very unusual situation," it could be "a sign that the couple's wedding is around the corner. </P><P> </P><P>"This is probably a compromise between Britney, her father and Trawick to get the marriage off on the right foot. Obviously, her future husband needs to have a say in her well-being," Cohen added. </P><P> </P><P>Jamie Spears gained legal control over his daughter's affairs in February 2008, following a spate of increasingly erratic behavior that culminated in Britney's brief stay at UCLA Medical Center. In the years since, Spears has appeared to get her life solidly back on track, releasing two multiplatinum albums, launching two successful world tours and regaining custody of her young sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James. </P><P> </P><P>The current status of Spears' conservatorship is reportedly more of a "formality" than anything else. </P><P> </P><P>Trawick, Spears' former agent and co-star in her "Criminal" video, proposed to Spears in December on his 40th birthday with a four-carat diamond ring designed by Neil Lane.</p>

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682699/britney-spears-fiance-legal-control....

Robin Tunney Rosario Dawson Rose Byrne

WATCH: Transgender Beauty Queen Tells Her Story

Jenna Talackova is no ordinary beauty queen. The Miss Universe Canada contestant made headlines when she was temporarily disqualified from the competition, after pageant officials learned that she was not a "naturally born female." On Friday night, Talackova, 23, gave her first TV interview to Barbara Walters, and showed home videos of herself when she was a toddler... named Walter. Watch the segment below!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/jenna-talackova-tells-her-story-2020/1-a-442575?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Ajenna-talackova-tells-her-story-2020-442575

Jessica Alba Jessica Biel Jessica Cauffiel

'X Factor' Michael Jackson Night Has Singers On Edge

Meanwhile, Paula Abdul has been absent from the set since her final group was eliminated last week.
By Jim Cantiello

<P><i>MTV News' own Jim Cantiello is exclusively covering "The X Factor" rehearsals. Read on for his fly-on-the-wall backstage report!</i> </P><P> </P><P><b>LOS ANGELES</b> &#8212; "The X Factor" top seven are back on the lot after their first (and only) mini-vacation of the season. And as the Thanksgiving tryptophan wears off, the anxiety of another double elimination is setting in. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="'X Factor' Star Astro Teases His Michael Jackson Song Night Performance" id="vid:714741" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>Adding to the stress? "The X Factor" is tackling the songs of Michael Jackson on Wednesday night (November 30), on the 29th anniversary of <i>Thriller</i>'s release, no less. </P><P> </P><P>One of the contestants is so stressed over the theme he's emerged as a total perfectionist. During Monday's rehearsals, he had already nixed multiple arrangements the show had provided him. "This is the most unprepared I've felt on a Monday," he said to his mentor as they rushed out of Stage 36. There was a camera crew chasing them to capture the drama &#8212; as well as the ensuing late-night emergency meeting with the vocal coaches &#8212; so don't be surprised if some of this intense footage ends up in your living room. (This afternoon's dress rehearsal went swimmingly, for the record.) </P><P> </P><P>Meanwhile, one contestant had a full-on battle with his/her mentor over a chair. The mentor said, "Sit and sing." The contestant said, "Again?! How about I do something on my feet for Michael Jackson week?" Another mentor came to the defense of the contestant. In the end, the contestant is sitting after all. Don't worry, contestant. The eerie arrangement of an MJ classic is what folks are going to be buzzing about. No one will care if you sit or stand. In the control room, I spied one of the bigwigs utter the word "brilliant!" after the contestant's dress rehearsal. </P><P> </P><P>Another hot topic: wardrobe! When paying homage to one of the biggest music icons ever, it's tempting for the stylists to include clothing nods to Michael's various looks. But several singers are worried they'll look too much like Jackson impersonators, which has caused many a headache in the wardrobe trailer. But stylist June Ambrose is still able to keep things light in the midst of the drama. While waiting around for a contestant's last-minute fitting, she started an impromptu MJ dance party on the lot. Crotch grabs and "woo" included! </P><P> </P><P>Lastly, Paula Abdul's sunny energy has been noticeably absent on the CBS lot now that all her groups have been eliminated. She went from being the most hands-on mentor to an on-set ghost. "The X Factor" family can't wait to welcome her back for her first live show as strictly a judge. What do you think she's been doing with her newfound free time? </P><P> </P><P><b>You can catch Jim on the "X Factor Pepsi Pre-Show," streaming at 7 p.m. ET tonight on TheXFactorUSA.com!</b></p>

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675175/x-factor-michael-jackson-night.jhtml

Angelina Jolie Anna Faris Anna Friel